Babysitting your Tools

[Mario Turcot]

After reading several threads about tools not preforming as expected due to sporadic used. I decided to adopt a strict maintenance protocol.

Every where I keep a power tool or hand tool into a systainer, I put a silica bag to prevent corrosion.

The protocol is simple, on the first day of each month run down inspection of the tools.

Dust extractor: Inspect the filters and power cord. Check the bag and/or any other dust capture device (Dust Deputy). Do a test run the CT manually and from auto from any power tool.
Plunge Saw: Inspect the plug-it cord and saw for any leakage. Install the saw on a track guide, plug the power cord and do a test run for 30/60 seconds.
Plunge Router: Inspect the plug-it cord and router for any leakage. Do a test run (30/60 seconds).
Kapex: Inspect the power cord and miter saw for any leakage. unlock and move the saw head on all axis and from front to back several times. Do a test run for 30/60 seconds. Try to blow out any dust from the head.
Cordless Drills: Inspect the drill for any leakage. Do a test run for 30/60 seconds.
Sanders: Inspect the plug-it cord and sander for any leakage. Do a test run for 30/60 seconds. Remove sandpaper if any and clean the pad.
Domino Jointer: Inspect the plug-it cord and jointer for any leakage. Do a test run for 30/60 seconds. Move the fence up/down several times and all settings (Depth/degree plate).
Vac-Sys: Inspect the pump for any leakage. Do a test run for 30/60 seconds. Plug un-plug all quick fitting tubes.
Guide Rails: Inspect both strips for defect.

That's it for me  [smile]

 

[semenza]

Good idea, Mario.  Especially for locations with big temp and humidity swings.

The discipline is the hard part. Maybe an annoying cellphone app warning.  [smile]

Seth

 

[DeformedTree]

Regular tool tear down.  Take them apart (split cases, etc).  Clean out all the dust and crude that builds up.  Until you start doing it you don't appreciate how caked on the stuff gets inside.  When stuff fries it overheated, and it overheated because it couldn't get the heat out when the tools was stuffed with dirt/sawdust etc.

Get to know the tool better, clean it up so it runs cool.  Spot future problem (is it throwing grease, is a bearing going). Look for manufacturing errors (finding pinched wires is not an uncommon thing I have found).  Tighten things that are loose, etc.

You do this for your house, your car, furnace, ac, etc.  Why some folks skip this on their tools I don't know.  Of course plenty of people don't do these things on their house, car, furnace, etc or hire someone to do it, and surprise they have stuff fail on them.

 

[Sparktrician]

My tools are all stored in an environmentally-controlled space with a working dehumidifier (which, incidentally, I just had to replace when I started seeing a patina of rust appearing on certain tools).  Now I get to give all of them a going-over with #0000 steel wool and Militec-1.  The other part of it is that all tools are cleaned after every use, including getting a vacuuming of all ports where dust can get in.